First Act Nearly Compl- WHAT IS THAT?!

It's true. After nearly 18 months of work, Episode 1: Act 1 is very, very close to being done. A few little animation tweaks need to be made, and there's still some sound and music left to bring in, but we've pretty much got a watchable little piece of entertainment.

Now because animation is a pretty solitary process, I occasionally go insane. These bouts of madness manifest themselves in many different ways: unintelligible babbling, self-flagellation, conspicuously smelling people, baking cookies for the wrong holiday...the list goes on.

And sometimes I just do this:

This is an animation frame exported directly from Flash, and there is indeed something off about our good friend the Slumberjack. Every time I see this drawing, it becomes more odd and a unsettling, but I will not be changing it for the final animation.

That is because the camera will not capture any of this tomfoolery, cutting the frame off at the beefy Trogdor arm. Sometimes it's just fun to do stupid drawings to let off steam, and I wanted to share one.

There are actually a lot of little Easter eggs that will be on screen the final version, but in the meantime, this will be our little secret...

Initial Homestretch

Well, the aforementioned comedy pilot competition deadline is just over a week away, and the actual animation is finally done. 

!

Now I just need to put on a little bit of sheen, assemble the entry materials, and of course, finalize the SOUND, courtesy of Axes co-creator Sean Brogan. I just thought I'd take a short break from working on this thing in order to provide a quick update, which I'm now realizing is not really a break. I should probably go to the bathroom or something.

Anyhoo, here are some more screen captures. Salivate away, and expect another update at the end of the month.

Biggest Update Ever! (So Far!)

Get excited! As promised, an actual, fully-animated preview, in living color! Yes, this is the first cut of the  first scene of the first episode of the first... animated series starring a time-travelling King Solomon, at least as far as I know.

So, yes, without any more messing about, the video!

Don't forget, you can click the youtube icon for additional viewing options, like fullscreen n' stuff.

Someone please let me know if I can change the viewing settings here.

Keep in mind that this is not the ultimate final version, as there are a few little technical glitches and timing issues, as well as a lack of any sound effects or music. Nonetheless, it functions as a wonderful little preview for the madness and hilarity ahead.

Thanks for sticking around so far, and don't forget to tell all your friends, acquaintances, and co-workers!

Bible Comics!

Guess what? There's been progress.

   Last week, we successfully recorded even more voices, and there's just one more session on the way, most likely mid-September. In the meantime, there is kind of a lot of other work to be done, so I've begun some storyboards and - as referenced previously - actual animation!

   I may post some videos soon, but since posting pictures is far less complicated/labor-intensive, here are the completed storyboards for the opening scene, gloriously off-model. (Note to self: Make model sheet.)

As can see (if you do that whole "click and enlarge" thing), it is a very lovely recreation of everyone's favorite Old Testament romp. Now that I have it as a reference, I know that it will at least sort of work on screen. Only 1400 more drawings left before it's animated, so I'd better get moving.

Mini-Update: It's Good to be the King (We Assume)

   Oh, goodie! The crew just had a pleasant and productive bicoastal meeting. More on that later, but I was just so darn excited I thought we could all use a nice little update. Below is simply a test, combining the soon-to-be animated characters and backgrounds within Adobe Flash. Eventually, we'll get AfterEffects involved and there will be some really cool shading and textures and movement and sound and PASSION AND ENERGY AND FIRE!!...

   ... but this actually looks pretty decent for now.

Clearly ecstatic to be involved.

Soon, we shall introduce the final member of the team, but try not to let the anticipation keep you awake.

Solomon's Palace

   Here's an itty-bitty little behind-the-scenes update for you. A work-in-progress of our very first background from Solomon's impressive palace. It's a bit sterile, could use some more furniture, and the lighting effects are incomplete, but this is essentially the style we're going for.

Note: Solomon does not reflect final animation design. It's just a silly drawing.

   There are many reasons we started this production blog. The first and most obvious is to spread the word and make people care about this thing that already means a lot to us. Second, it keeps us accountable if we have an audience clamoring for, or at least curious about, more updates. Third - and this is theoretically where it gets fun - we want feedback.

   If you have an opinion about any aspect of the show, share it. Want to discuss your favorite character? Have a question about our production techniques? Think you could make a better background and have time on your hands or, better yet, own a television network and don't know how to fill up all those pesky timeslots?! Tell us. Use that comments button. Be our friend! It would be wonderful to have a community of AXES OF EVIL aficionados, and might even make the world a more magical place.

   Just remember, we weren't being facetious in our inaugural first update: we want this to be a happy, fun, and safe place. Criticism is welcome, but please be aware that this past season of American Idol has provided everyone's tear-ducts with enough of a workout.

Character Introduction #2: King Solomon

Here he is! The leader of our time-hopping heroes:

King Solomon

Age: 67

Plucked From: Jerusalem, Israel, 936 BC

   Yes, we're dealing with the same King Solomon of Old Testament fame, best known for suggesting a baby be chopped in half in order to trick a hooker. It is this demonstration of wisdom that convinces God Himself to bestow upon Solomon the responsibility of saving the universe as we know it, locating and leading the other wielders of the Axes of Power, (the aforementioned "good axes"), and defeating the wielders of the Axes of Evil, (which are the...evil...yeah, you get it, it's the title of the show).

   Now, because our plan is to take a pretty detailed look at the production process, some inevitable plot details will be revealed, such as the entire preceding paragraph. That's fine; it's the premise. Nonetheless, we will TRY to minimize any spoilers that would negate one's theoretical/eventual enjoyment of the content we are trying to create.

   That being said, though Solomon might come across as a crotchety old man, his reputation as one of history's wisest men is well-earned. There's a lot more to him than he lets on. Oooh, mysterious, right? We hope so. And for even more information, you can go read your Bibles!

  Coming up: more characters and wholesome messages.